SUV News

Polestar has announced a huge battery recycling initiative on some of its key models. Some Polestar 2 and Polestar 3 models will be fitted with batteries that include at least 50 per cent recycled cobalt. As part of its partnership with Volvo battery centres, Polestar 2 and 3 models requiring a battery replacement will be installed with a refurbished unit as opposed to a new one. Cobalt is a key material in many types of car batteries, such as lithium-iron and Nickel-Managenese-Cobalt (NMC). Polestar uses NMC batteries across its range, meaning mined cobalt is integral to the brand, but this latest initiative demonstrates it is trying moving away from that reliance.The majority of all mined cobalt comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is said to have half the world’s reserves.The extraction of cobalt in the DRC has given rise to concerns over the health and safety of people involved as well as the legality of the process itself. Extracting cobalt releases fine dust particles and dangerous chemical byproducts leading to contamination.There have also been substantiated reports of illegal working conditions, including broader African mining practices. Cobalt carries with it a heavy price tag as well.These issues have seen some car manufacturers move away from cobalt-dependent batteries, opting for different make-ups such as lithium-iron-phosphate, which are cheaper, but not as efficient. Polestar said it aims to reduce reliance on virgin materials, such as cobalt, and keep resources in use for longer. “... a key focus is to extend battery life and retain the battery’s value for as long as possible, which benefits both the environment and the customer experience,” the brand said.Polestar is also looking into developing recycling initiatives in other global markets, which is in line with many other manufacturers. The European Union has already introduced increasingly tough battery recycling mandates for car makers. This includes a 90 per cent cobalt reduction mandate by 2027, shifting to 95 per cent by the end of the decade. In Australia, Nissan is re-using a few of its first generation Leaf NMC batteries to power part of the company’s part manufacturing plant.BMW has a similar recycling initiative for its i3 batteries in Australia.

The Toyota Prado and LandCruiser have largely been the default choices for family SUVs in rural and remote Australia for decades now but as fuel prices crunch, some alternatives are seeming more desirable than ever.BYD’s premium spin-off brand, Denza, launched in Australia earlier this year with the Prado-sized B5 and LandCruiser 300 Series-rivaling B8 SUVs.Both offer a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) set-up, which combines dual electric motors (one on each axle) with a turbocharged petrol engine that generally acts as a generator to top up the battery pack but is also capable of directly powering the front wheels.Denza claims the B5 and B8 can travel up to 100km and 115km on electric power alone, respectively, according to NEDC testing.If you have the capability to charge at home, whether that be with or without solar, and have a commute of around 100km or less, you can theoretically travel on electric power alone and save massively on fuel costs.Using an electric price of 35c/kWh as a frame of reference, fully charging the B5 and B8’s battery costs $11.13 and $12.88, respectively.For many rural and remote Australians their commutes are considerably longer than 100km and this is where the peace of mind of the petrol engine comes into play.Denza claims the B5 and B8 have a combined range of 975km and 1040km, respectively, both according to the more lenient NEDC testing.The diesel-powered Toyota Prado and LandCruiser 300 Series have theoretical ranges of up to 1392km and 1236km, respectively, when using their ADR 81/02 claimed fuel consumptions.Sure the Denzas offer less overall range on paper, but previous experiences with the Prado and LandCruiser have shown they both consume more fuel than they claim, so expect less overall range between diesel refills.The new Prado also requires AdBlue and, depending on driving style and conditions, consumes around one litre of AdBlue every 500km. This means a full refill could be required every 8500km.Denza claims the B5 and B8 consumes 1.9L/100km and 2.0L/100km, respectively, when the battery pack is between 100 and 25 per cent of charge, according to NEDC testing. These figures are largely arbitrary though as much of the test cycle is driven on EV power.Where the real story is how much fuel is consumed when the battery pack is under 25 per cent charge. Denza claims the B5 and B8 consume 9.5L/100km and 9.9L/100km, respectively.During the media launch for the Denza B5 and B8 where we drove both of these cars on remote highways in the Flinders Ranges locked at 70 per cent battery charge, we saw average fuel consumption figures between 8.0L/100km and 9.0L/100km according to the trip computer read-out.One consideration is that diesel is largely more readily available in remote Australia than petrol. However, both the Denza B5 and B8 only require a minimum of 91 RON regular unleaded petrol.In saying this though, Denza has noted it’s unclear how the B5 and B8 performs on Opal fuel, which is a low-aromatic fuel that doesn’t contain the properties that create a high when sniffed and is more prolific in central Australia.While fuel is a major consideration for budget-conscious car buyers right now, there are a number of other factors that off-road-ready family SUV buyers consider.The Denza B5 has a braked towing capacity of 3000kg, which is slightly under the segment benchmark, however the B8 has a braked towing capacity of 3500kg. The latter matches what the Toyota Prado and LandCruiser offer.Due to the heft of the battery pack, the B5 and B8 are much heavier than the Prado and LandCruiser. Instead of having a kerb weight about 2500kg, the Denzas weigh more than 3000kg.The B8 in particular has a kerb weight of about 3300kg, making it Australia’s heaviest SUV.Payload in the B5 is between 490kg and 600kg, depending on the trim level, which isn’t a great deal as the Prado offers between 580kg and 615kg, depending on the trim level.The B5 only offers a five-seat configuration, whereas the Prado does offer a five- and seven-seat configuration, depending on the trim level.While payload in the B8 is 702kg across the line-up which is more on par with the 650kg-785kg payload the LandCruiser 300 Series offers.The B8 has a six- or seven-seat configuration across three rows, depending on the trim level, whereas the LandCruiser 300 Series has either five or seven seats, depending on the trim level.Both Denzas offer four-wheel drive systems with a low-range mode and, depending on the version, rear and front-locking differentials.Then there’s pricing. The 2026 Denza B5 is priced from $74,990 and $79,990 before on-road costs, whereas the Prado costs between $73,200 and $100,690 before on-road costs.The 2026 Denza B8 is priced between $91,000 and $97,900 before on-road costs, whereas the LandCruiser 300 Series costs between $99,340 and $147,910 before on-road costs.Both Denzas offer a more premium level of specification on par with the likes of Lexus.Where Denza will be fighting an uphill battle against Toyota is with its dealer network. The former is still scaling in Australia and will lean on its connections with BYD to get wide service coverage.Toyota has the largest dealer network out of any carmaker in Australia. It has over 250 locations, whereas Denza is planning to have 25-30 dealers by the end of 2026.While this op-ed has largely focused on the new Denza SUVs, there are a few notable family SUV rivals that also offer PHEV powertrains.Examples include the similarly off-road-ready GWM Tank 300 and Tank 500 PHEVs, as well as more on-road-oriented rivals like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and the Chery Tiggo 8 and Tiggo 9 Super Hybrids.

Leapmotor has unveiled its special edition C10 Sports+ all-electric mid-size SUV, which will shake up the performance EV space. It will be priced from $53,888 (before on-road costs), which is $4000 more than the previous top-spec model. Unlike the rest of the C10 range, the car comes with all-wheel drive, while all other C10s have rear-wheel drive. The main change on this special edition C10 is the addition of a serious power upgrade, with its dual motor set-up producing 440kW and 760Nm, shifting the car from 0-100km/h in four seconds. This is substantially more power than the standard C10, which produces 160kW and 320Nm. These figures mean the C10 has a similar power output to the range-topping Tesla Model Y Performance, with a starting price of nearly $90,000. It is also cheaper than the most affordable rear-wheel drive variant of the Model Y .The car has been given a bigger 81.9kWh Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) battery, offering a driving range of up to 437km, according to WLTP testing. This is only a slight improvement on the standard car (425km) due to the extra weight and increased power of the dual motor set-up. This version of the C10 is built on a new 800-volt platform, allowing for DC charging at 180kW. It can recharge from 30-80 per cent in 22 minutes. The C10 appears better value on paper compared to pricier key rivals such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV5 and Zeekr 7X.On the inside, the car has a 14.6-inch central touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital driver display, along with synthetic leather seats. Other interior features on the special edition C10 include a panoramic glass roof, as well as electrically adjustable, heated and ventilated front seats. It gets some cosmetic changes as well, like ‘Sports+’ branded cabin mats, rear badging and side decals. The C10 Sports+ Special Edition will arrive in showrooms next month. 

Fuel prices are soaring across the board whether it is petrol or diesel. Some drivers are being more affected than others as lower fuel efficiency contributes to higher refuelling costs. Here are the most expensive cars to run currently in Australia based on fuel efficiency. Other contributing factors to the high fuel costs on this list include the fact many of the cars have big fuel tanks and require premium fuel.Fuel prices have been calculated using the average prices for fuel in New South Wales and at an average of 15,000km driven per year. Among the heaviest guzzlers is the Nissan Patrol four-wheel drive, with its 5.6-litre V8 drinking fuel at a rate of 14.4L/100km. Its 140-litre fuel tank and requirement for premium unleaded petrol means it costs $364 per fill-up and a total yearly cost of $5617.28. The Patrol will move to a more efficient 3.5-litre six-cylinder twin-turbo petrol, which is expected to reduce fuel costs. The Ford Mustang sports car is another V8 on this list, with its 5.0-litre unit registering average fuel efficiency at 13.6L/100km and a yearly cost of $5310.27.Ford’s other representative is the Ranger Raptor high-end ute, powered by a twin-turbo six-cylinder petrol engine costing $4482.76 per year. The Ineos Grenadier off-roader is the most expensive model to run and costs $5618.50 a year to run, in part due to it being diesel, which has been the fuel type that has increased the most. The Lexus GX550 has refuelling costs of $208 per fill-up currently, costing $4800 for the year, along with nearly $3000 for the Jeep Gladiator, which unlike many on this list can run off E10 fuel.The 6.2-litre petrol V8 found in the Chevrolet Silverado full-size pick-up has an economy of more than 12 litres per 100km, costing $4,356.30 over the year.  Genesis’ GV70 luxury SUV costs more $4400 per year in fuel, a similar figure to the supercharged 5.0-litre V8 variants of the Land Rover Defender. Highest fuel efficiency new vehicles on sale under $150,000 

Subaru has confirmed it will unveil an “all-new, all-electric SUV” at this year’s New York International Auto Show, which kicks off on (no joke) April 1st.Positioned under a theme of “Fast. Family. Fun.”, the Japanese maker has previewed the upcoming arrival via a dark teaser image with the only hard specifications noted being a power output of 313kW (420hp) and all-wheel drive, both of which point to dual-motor propulsion.Visual clues include narrow six-point headlights similar to the existing Solterra and Trailseeker EV line-up, roof rails and an illuminated star-cluster badge on the nose.The emphasis on ‘Family’ could also point to a three-row configuration, which opens up the possibility of the new model sharing its development with the recently released pure-electric Toyota Highlander (Kluger).A connection makes sense with Subaru and Toyota confirming expansion of their model-share partnership with three electric SUVs in 2026-’27, Subaru on the record noting the Toyota connection will accelerate development of its EV portfolio.The three-row Highlander, Toyota’s first battery-electric vehicle for the US market, rides on the brand’s ‘Toyota Next Generation Architecture-K’ (TNGA-K) platform and is slated for assembly in the southern US state of Kentucky with batteries sourced from Toyota's recently opened battery assembly plant in Liberty, North Carolina.For reference, the Highlander measures 4950mm long, 1989mm wide and 1709mm tall with a 3050mm wheelbase.If Subaru follows the high-standard spec strategy it applies to other Toyota-shared models, it’s likely the new SUV will adopt the top-grade Highlander Limited’s 95.8kWh battery, for a 515km range.Other premium Highlander features like ‘Vehicle-to-Load’ (V2L) are likely to feature and although the flagship Highlander’s overall output is quoted at just over 250kW, it’s not hard to imagine Subaru putting its own, more performance-focused spin on the powertrain.Expect the interior to include a 14-inch multimedia touchscreen, 12.3-inch driver's display, a large-format head-up display and customisable ambient lighting.

Toyota’s mini LandCruiser FJ has finally launched overseas, with a very sharp price.The rough and tumble 4WD has launched in Thailand — where it is built — with prices starting at the equivalent of about $55,900 Down Under.That puts the mini 4WD on par with lower grades of the new RAV4 hybrid, which unlocks off-road adventuring at a bargain price.Toyota is still blocking the FJ LandCruiser for coming to Australia for now.Toyota Australia’s former Vice President of Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley told CarsGuide at the 2025 Tokyo Motor Show it would not be available to Australia because the 2.7-litre petrol engine only adheres to Euro 5 emissions regulations.“The LandCruiser name in Australia would be very appealing, but the hardcore reality we are facing in our country… variable regulations, new criteria, new vehicle efficiency standards,” said Hanley.“It’s not about NVES, it’s just about regulations.“We’re moving to Euro 6 emissions standards. That’s the reality,” he said. The culprit is a 2.7-litre petrol engine, which was previously found in entry-level HiLux variants, that makes 120kW and 246Nm in the FJ LandCruiser.There are rumours out of Japan Toyota may install the same 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine with mild hybrid assistance as the current Toyota HiLux ute and Prado 4WD.This would likely deliver a huge performance bump to a max of 150kW and 500Nm, but a detuned version could be used to further lower emissions.Any diesel FJ LandCruiser won’t be available until at least 2029, according to reports.Hanley said at the time if the FJ LandCruiser’s engine did meet Euro 6, which the HiLux’s engine with AdBlue does, the company would be more likely to consider it for Australia.“If it was Euro 6, I would reconsider it,” said Hanley.“If it does turn out to be a Euro 6 engine, and if it does turn out to be that way, which it could… then that’s something we could re-examine.”Pocket-sized off-roaders are the flavour of the month, with Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover working on a small G-Wagen and Defender, respectively.Both those are expected to be electric, with plug-in hybrid power a possibility depending on buyers’ tastes.BYD’s Denza has shown 4WDs are willing to embrace plug-in hybrid power for off-roading, with the recent launch of the B5 and B8 Prado and LandCruiser 300 Series rivals.

After months of price-rise predictions, the redesigned Mazda CX-5 has come in below expectations, at least with the cheaper versions.On sale now, with deliveries scheduled from July, the new CX-5 starts from $39,990 (all prices are before on-road costs) for the new Pure grade, which is $2750 more than the old base Maxx did previously.But that was with the now-discontinued G20 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with front-wheel drive (2WD), while the Pure switches to the G25 2.5-litre, six-speed automatic all-wheel drive (AWD) set-up, which is now standard across the range.In the previous version, the cheapest CX-5 G25 AWD was the $45,600 Touring, meaning that the latest model undercuts many mid-sized SUV AWD rivals – a first for the series in a long time.This includes the Nissan X-Trail ST AWD and Mitsubishi Outlander ES AWD from $42,615 and $43,240 respectively, though both come with seven seats, as well as the Subaru Forester AWD (from $43,490), Kia Sportage SX+ AWD (from $47,580), Toyota RAV4 GX hybrid AWD (from $49,340), Hyundai Tucson Elite hybrid AWD (from $50,850) and Volkswagen Tiguan 150TSI Elegance 4Motion (from $56,850).And while cheaper electrified Chinese alternatives exist, like the BYD Sealion 5 PHEV, Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV, Geely Starray PHEV, GWM Haval H6 hybrid and MG HS hybrid, all are 2WD up to the CX-5 Pure AWD’s $40K price point, underlying the Japanese SUV’s unique competitiveness.Next up is the new Evolve AWD from $42,990, effectively replacing the old Maxx Sport G25 2WD from $40,960 and Touring G25 2WD from $43,100.From there, every grade is more expensive than its corresponding AWD predecessor, as the Touring AWD from $47,990 (up $2390), GT SP AWD from $51,990 (up $1030) and Akera AWD from $54,990 (up $1840) illustrate.Some of the other changes made to the latest CX-5 may not please everybody.The previously-standard head-up display and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto are no-longer available on the base grades.Now offering 132kW and 242Nm, the G25’s power and torque figures fall by 8kW and 10Nm respectively, to meet stricter Euro-6d emissions requirements. Yet the combined average fuel-consumption figure remains at 7.4 litres per 100km while CO2 emissions edge up to 173 grams/km,The old G25 Touring 2WD, as well as the G35 GT SP Turbo AWD and G35 Akera Turbo AWD models fitted with a 170kW/420Nm 2.5-litre turbo, have been eliminated, dropping the range from eight to five grades.And the long-awaited hybrid engine(s) that Mazda reckons will more than make up for the AWOL turbos as well as the D22 turbo-diesel engines dropped way back in late 2023 may still be up to two years away.As reported earlier, the freshly-streamlined CX-5 range also features a completely redesigned body, sharing no parts with the previous version, despite very similar stylistic themes. Length is up 115mm from before, with a 50mm higher bonnet and 30mm of extra height. The back doors are also longer, and they now open at nearly 90 degrees for easier cabin access.Underneath, the continuing SkyActiv transverse architecture is said to be 50 per cent new, despite fundamentals like the MacPherson strut-front and multi-link rear end remaining.Mazda says it sought to improve ride comfort via lower-rate springs and higher-response dampers compared to the previous CX-5, whilst also increasing steering/handling responses. Key differences include different dampers, spring rates, bump stops, stabiliser bars and tyres, with extensive real-world testing and fine-tuning conducted.A 115mm wheelbase stretch benefits rear-seat kneeroom by 64mm and extends cargo length by 45mm, aided by a lower scuff plate to facilitate loading/unloading.These address consumer resistance to the previous CX-5’s comparative compactness compared to RAV4, X-Trail, Outlander and others.The dashboard has also been completely redesigned, adopting a generic-2020s horizontal-look instrument panel that dispenses with Mazda’s lauded climate-control buttons for simplified, screen-based access and functionality that the company claims minimises disruptions whilst maximising minimalism.As such, and among myriad other changes, the previous lower-console controller gives way to capacitive switches with short/long push selection or swipe action on the new steering wheel’s spokes; there’s added emphasis on voice control; and configurable widgets are now part of this touchscreen-heavy operation.It is anticipated that traditional CX-5 buyers and future ANCAP crash-rating testers may have opinions on such developments.Speaking of safety, a long list of advanced driver-assist systems tech are fitted on all grades, such as autonomous emergency braking (front and rear), lane-departure warning/assist, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control with full stop/go. An app with connected services allows for remote location, some vehicle functionality/control and auto emergency services notification if required.Standard features on the Pure include a 12.9-inch touchscreen, 10.25-inch instrumentation display, wired-only Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, cloth trim, dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, front/rear reverse sensors, front/rear parking sensors and 17-inch alloy wheels.The Evolve adds items like keyless entry/start, heated front seats, rear-seat air vents, (reinstated) wireless CarPlay/Auto and smartphone charger and heated/folding mirrors.The $5K jump to the Touring is a result of artificial leather/suede trim, powered driver’s seat with memory, (reinstated) head-up display, heated windscreen, powered tailgate, heated steering wheel, roof rails and more.The GT SP includes adaptive LED headlights, 360-degree monitor with see-through view, a 12-speaker premium (Bose) audio upgrade, ambient lighting, powered front passenger seat, leather upholstery, heated rear outboard seats, glossier trim and 19-inch alloys.Finally, the Akera adds vented front seats, a 15.6-inch touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, remote powered tailgate functionality and personalised driver-settings memory, among other items.Mazda hopes the KG boosts CX-5 sales by 10 per cent over 2025 levels, to around 25,000 units. The sales split is predicted to be 20/30/20/15/15 per cent for Pure/Evolve/Touring/GT/Akera respectively.Since the KE series debuted in Australia in February, 2012, some 325,000 CX-5s have been sold, as part of a worldwide total of five million units. Mazda's local best-seller here over the past seven years, last year it accounted for a quarter of all the brand's volume.

A Japanese Toyota favourite has been given a special LandCruiser 70 Series re-design.The ‘70 Box’ is a mash-up of the Toyota Probox and LandCruiser 70 Series, making for a wild looking wagon. It has another more flamboyant name as well: the “70Yo.70 Destroyer”.Fukuoka-based company Hakobanya has given the Probox some rugged credentials from the iconic troop carrier to create a new LandCruiser wagon.The Toyota Probox is a hugely popular wagon sold mainly in Japan, but it has been imported into Australia. Used models in Australia are available from under $20,000, so it is an enticing budget option.The car adopts several features from the 70 Series, such as a comb-pattern front grille and a rounded LED headlight design. It has also been given the same boxy and angular overall design synonymous with the off-roader. One hurdle the car was not able to get over is the fact, it is offered with petrol and hybrid set-ups as standard, not the diesel engine found in the LandCruiser. That has not stopped Hakobanya adding neat details such as the same AdBlue cover as on LandCruiser. The whole car has been lifted up to give it a ground clearance closer to what an off-roader needs, along with chunky all-terrain tires, housing aftermarket blacked out wheels. Other changes include beefed up wheel arches encased in plastic coverings, with add-on vents around the rear arches. Details like a bonnet-mounted mirror further highlight efforts by its makers to add an off-road feeling, with the mirror aiding greater visibility for rocky terrain and hidden bumps on a track. While the 70 Box looks like an off-roader, there is no evidence it has been given the engine to match. The Probox is normally powered by 1.5-litre petrol and hybrid engine choices, which produce up to 80kW. So at least it would not be as thirsty as a LandCruiser, which with current fuel prices is a big plus.

Nissan Australia is waiting for more information before making any guesses about what the increasing conflict around the Persian Gulf might mean for Australian deliveries of its iconic 4WD.The new-gen 2026 Nissan Patrol is anticipated to be extremely popular in the Gulf region, in particular the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in line with its historic popularity there.But given the increasing effects of the US-Israeli war on Iran, there’s a possibility the UAE won’t be as interested in the full-size 4WD when it launches later this year.It raises the question as to whether, even though the UAE is a left-hand drive market and Australia a right-hand market, Nissan might shift its priority to supply Australia as the other major destination for the Patrol until the demand for Patrol in the Arabian Peninsula is clear.Nissan’s outgoing Managing Director for the Oceania region, Andrew Humberstone, told CarsGuide he doesn’t foresee the conflict affecting Australia’s supply of the Patrol yet.“In theory? No,” said Humberstone.“In theory, we have a product line that's coming, left-hand drive market, right-hand drive market.“So it's planned for when we're getting our product, the unveil is officially around September, October, end of the year.”In 2025, the ageing Y62 Nissan Patrol was the second-best selling model behind the Toyota HiLux, with 16,769 sales to its name. In Australia, 6263 sales over the same period saw it tail the Toyota LandCruiser by half alone excluding the 70 Series pick-up.Given the anticipated demand for the new-gen Y63 Patrol and the larger historical sales volume in the UAE, even a slight shift could mean much more comparative supply for Australia.“Is there a chance to anticipate ? I would welcome it. As a market, we would welcome it. “Yes, there's a lot going on in the Middle East. There's a lot of volume in the Middle East. “If that allows us additional productivity, let's see if they can do anything quicker.”While Humberstone didn’t foresee major changes to the plans already in place, he added the caveat that a protracted war in the region would obviously mean different circumstances that he wouldn’t be drawn to estimate.“But it's early days. It's only six-seven weeks. If it becomes three or four months, it'd be a different conversation, too early for me to say, and it's way above my pay grade. “But I would welcome the idea.”

Hyundai’s Kona, now Australia’s best-selling small SUV, is set for a deeper upgrade than first expected, if a test mule spotted in its South Korean home market is anything to go by.Spotted by South Korean YouTubers, ShortsCar a camouflaged version of the the incoming new Kona has significant design changes more in line with a next-generation offering than the facelift it was expected to be.Among the changes highlighted by the channel, there’s a completely new light signature at the front, an even boxier profile, as well as a completely new roofline and door shapes.The Korean YouTubers point out that the test mule under scrutiny must be a Kona as it has markers on its wheels indicating it is a test model for the European market, where other models (like the smaller Creta or Venue) are not sold.The wheels also carry the expected code-name of the upcoming next-gen offering, SX3.As ShortsCar points out, this Kona test mule has many of the design signatures of the Crater concept car Hyundai displayed in 2025. This is indicated by the boxy bonnet features, new light profile, bulges over the rear wheel arches which appear to include the rear light clusters, and a pronounced spoiler piece over the tailgate.Interestingly the spotted car also features active aero pieces, and very short overhangs. There are also sporty blacked-out 18-inch wheels and sunken aerodynamic door handles.Korean media is also speculating the Kona will launch Hyundai’s upcoming Pleos Connect operating system from the Korean giant’s recently-established dedicated software brand, designed to lean into the ‘software defined vehicle’ concept.The Pleos Connect suite was shown in 2025 on what now appears to be a concept version of what could be the Kona’s new interior. The brand earmarked a quarter two, 2026 launch for the suite, and expects it to be available on “20 million vehicles by 2030".Based on Android Automotive, Pleos Connect is designed to completely overhaul the in-car software and will feature a refreshed interface, deeper over-the-air features (with the ability to tweak drivetrain features with a software update), new developer and fleet management tools, and the ability to collect mass amounts of data to train Hyundai’s future self-driving tech.Expect to learn more about the next-generation Kona imminently if it expects to meet its international launch window of mid-2026.Such a revolutionary change so soon after the launch of the existing Kona is also a risk for Hyundai. The small SUV was the top-selling small SUV in Australia last year, no doubt helped by a diverse powertrain offering and price points.It's priced from just $33,700 before on-road costs with a 2.0-litre petrol engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the fuel-efficient hybrid is $36,950. It is available in fully electric form, starting from $54,000, with the range topping out with the Electric N-Line Premium at a whopping $71,000.Hyundai has emerged as a hybrid hero, taking second position last year for hybrid sales in Australia, tallying 28,819 units. This is double the previous year, and a positive sign for the Korean brand as its major models are nearly all more than 50 per cent hybrid by sales.However, its lack of solid EV sales (only two per cent of Hyundais sold in 2025 were EVs) thanks to its relatively expensive electric models meant the brand still managed to attract a penalty under Australia’s tough New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which tightens the vice on high emitters every year from now until 2030.